The Penn's Grove record., 1887-03-26

Hurry, GenleP' cried . querulous
voice, ''hurry, child"
She started, and tore open the pack
age with eager haste, bringing forth on
the end Of her finger a ring. Her face
fell. What q wretched little thingl A
cameo of cheapest variety, and consider
ably too large for her slender fingers.
Worse than ordinary" said Euge-
ME. "What does he mean by asking
me to wear such a paltry AFFAIR." Well,
l don't care, she decided, at last, "but
he needn't have said it was very valua-
be-" and it is greatly to be feared that
Eugenle's door shut forcibly after her.
The cuckoo on the clock in the hotel
parlor had Just screeched for 9 O'Clock
when Neil ran up the stairs and tapped
on the door of the parlor allotted to ~.
d. Grant, wife and daughter, Buffalo,"
Very handsome anu eager he looked,
and it is small wonder that Eugene
dashed brightly as he took her hands
what a swell you are!' he said, ad.
mirlng tho white pillows Of lace that
fell about her, leaving bare the soft
neck and rounded arms. How much
time can you give mep"
mot much; it is time to go. But l
Will see you tomorrow won't /. Here
is your ring; I've been afraid 1 should
lose it, it is so large for me-"
She holds it out to him, He takes l.,
and with it both her hands.
Then you'll keepthe other, 'Genie?"
in anxious inquiry.
"The otherl What otherP" said Eu-
genie.
"Why, the diamond, of course, what
do you s%upposep"
1.-THE diamond" In amazement.
There was no diamondl'
He stared a moment and then laughed.
"Ohl come nowl Thatb a joke, and
I'll laugh at it by.and-by. but just now
Pm more interested In something else
in YOU"
"But there was no diamond, what do
you mean by saying SOP" in wonder
ment.
Neil's face flushed, and his voice was
more than unusually positive--almost
Extensively SO, Eugene thought, as he
said:
you know perfectly well what l
mean and, forgive me, but 1t Is IN
rather poor taste to continue that I'M
welcome joke"
81 don't know what you are talking
about" she replied, with dignity. 81
wore your valuable ring; If there was
any diamond about it l taEed to see it.
| shall have to wish you go~od-evening,
MIR. Blake"
"Of course l did not ask you to wear
thls," in contemptuous designation of
the cameo. at was simply in the
package with the other, the diamond
that you do not seem able to remem-
ber."
"How dare youl" cried angry Euge-
ME. "You are telling a talsehood.
Papa shall" 'Papal" in elevated,
hysterE voice as the door opened; she
says l havestolen a ringl' and subsidized
into a crushed, fearful heap on the
sofa.
Papa Grant was a portly, pompous
gentleman, with a great deal OF gold
watch chain across a broad expanse of
white vest.
Very deliberate and particular, he
required that the matter should be fully
explained twice by his weeping daugh-
ter, before expressing an opinion.
"You are an impudent young ras-
CAL" said Papa Grant. who gave
you leave to address my daughter at
ALP"
"All l can say, sir" persisted Neil,
doggedly, sis that | gave to Miss
Grant"-(not Genie any more. AlasD
a package containing a diamond ring,
which ring she now declines to pro-
duce."
At this there was a fresh explosion of
sobs from behind the handkerchief,
and two high heels dug wildly into the
carpet. Papa Grant swelled with Of
Tended dignity, and for a moment 1t
looked as if Neil's chance for a safe
exit were not %fiattering, but there was
a new arrival upon the scene.
Fair and slight and delicate, but with
a self possession and sweet calmness
that reduced the white vest. Gained
Eugenie's sobs, and treasured Nell, all
at once-the heretofore invisible MAN.
ma.
You are sure the ring was in the
package, Mr.. Blakep" after a third ex-
planatisn."
ut was," said Neil, firmly.
sit was not" said Eugene. as firm
ly.
Then they glared at each other.
sob, this will never do said Mrs.
Grant, in calm dismay. "Mr. Blake,
l know your father, he is a gentleman.
| think his son is one; it is Impossible
that ysu should try to deceive u.s."
Neil bowed gratefully. And it is
equally impossible that my daughter
should do so. There must be some
mistake"
"There is not, ".declaredithe belliger-
ents in a breath.
There must be some mistake, " re-
peated the mother. calmly. Eugene
may have overlooked the ring in her
hurry. OF course you are sure you did
not, my dear. But it may be-" She
pondered a moment while Neil and
Eugene watched her breathlessly.
IF we could, she said, at last. 'if
we could go on the boat, before our
state-room had been swept-do you
think it possible, Joseph?"
He of the gold watch chain thus ap.
pealed to, shifted contemptuously.
"Absurdl Out of the question: The
whole affair Is ridiculous, and comes
from allowing your daughter to make
indiscrlminate acquaintances, against
which l particularly warned you. l
set the whole matter aside"
But the calm-voiced little woman
was a power in the household. and,
after a little, Neil was Despatched for a
carriage. and Eugene to take of her
pretty party-dress and battle her tear
stained face. .
Neil was very wretched as he helped
Mrs. Grant into a carriage, and when
Eugene bounced by him and stared